Olympus Corporation (President: Hiroyuki Sasa) is pleased to announce the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO (35mm equivalent focal length: 16mm), is scheduled to go on sale from the end of June, 2015. This lens is the world’s first1 f1.8, 180° diagonal angle of view, and high-performance fisheye lens that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard.

This is the world’s first^*1 fast, f1.8 fisheye lens with both amazing optical performance and a 180° diagonal angle of view. Even at the fast, maximum aperture value of f1.8, image quality is excellent from the center to the edges of the image, making it possible to shoot in situations that were unable before, from nightscapes, to astrophotography, and underwater photography.

The 12 cm closest focusing distance (approx. 2.5 cm from the end of the lens) makes new expressions in macro photography possible that are only available on a fisheye lens. This product is a lens in the M.Zuiko PRO category, featuring excellent optical performance, and a splash & dust-proof construction that ensures excellent image quality in any situation.

Main Features

1. The world’s first f1.8 fisheye lens that opens up new worlds
2. Amazing optical performance that provides sharp image quality from the center to the edges of the image
3. Splash & dust-proof construction with a minimum 12cm focusing distance perfect for nature macro photography

Main Features Details

1. The world’s first^*1 f1.8 fisheye lens that opens up new worlds

This is the world’s first f1.8 fast fisheye lens with a diagonal 180° angle of view. While the previously released bright fisheye lenses achieve an aperture value of f2.8 at the maximum, a diameter of 1.3 steps brighter than that is utilized for a faster shutter speed, making it possible to capture not only hand-held nightscapes but also starscapes when combined with powerful in-body image stabilization.

Shooting possibilities are expanded even further by reducing subject blur when shooting underwater and extending the distance of the flash.

2. Amazing optical performance that provides sharp image quality from the center to the edges of the image

With its maximum aperture value of f1.8, this lens provides amazing high resolution that surpasses the popular, high-grade Zuiko Digital ED 8mm f3.5 Fisheye lens. The maximum aperture can be used for shooting nightscapes and starscapes while maintaining superb optical performance and resolution from the center to the edges of the image.

The amazing optical performance thoroughly corrects for chromatic and comatic aberration for accurate rendering of points of light as actual points, such as in the case of stars in the sky. They also ensure optical performance to minimize corner shading.

To ensure superb image quality from the maximum aperture setting, special lenses are lavishly used, such as Super ED lens, ED lens, Super HR lens, and HR lens. An HR lens is used for the front of the lens to reduce lens diameter, and keep the lens unit compact and lightweight while achieving a large-diameter f1.8 aperture value. ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) Coating is used effectively to minimize ghosts and flaring, creating a lens that is resistant to backlit situations.

3. Splash & dust-proof construction with a minimum 12cm focusing distance perfect for nature macro photography

This lens is one of the M.Zuiko PRO category, featuring excellent optical performance, and a rugged splash and dust-proof construction that ensures excellent image quality in any situation. Special sealing in six locations provides powerful protection against ingress of dust and splashes, maintaining splash and dust-proof performance, as well as a freezeproof construction down to -10°C for reliable performance in any outdoor environment or nature photography situation.

You can also shoot close-ups of subjects from up to 2.5 cm away from the end of the lens (closest focusing distance: 12 cm) for a maximum shooting magnification of 0.20x (35mm equivalent: 0.40x). With these specs, you can capture nature macro shots with clear backgrounds.

Other Features

The lens is equipped with a fixed lens hood. This construction effectively blocks unnecessary light from entering the lens. By using plastic materials, shock-resistant performance is maintained and vignetting from the lens hood is prevented.